Jul 31, 2008 5:40 pm US/Eastern
50 Years, 50 Families: Jeff Cole
TRAFFORD (KDKA) ―
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Jeff Cole was nearly killed in Iraq.
KDKA
It's been five years since the war in Iraq began, but many soldiers wounded in the early days of the war are still trying to heal.
Today, Jeff Cole, 24, of Trafford, has undergone more than 30 surgeries after almost dying in the war, but he is still managing to keep his amazing attitude.
Cole is the recipient of this week's 50 Years, 50 Families program.
"It happened so fast. I don't remember anything," said Cole. "Next thing I remember was waking up a month and a half later in a hospital."
Cole went into a coma after he was injured in Iraq in 2004. He was riding in a truck when an IED exploded. The driver swerved, the truck flipped multiple times and Cole was thrown out.
"Then, the medic came over and I remember him looking at me and the look on his face, I knew it was bad," he said "That's all I remember."
Cole said he shattered his leg, a compound fracture in his femur. He lost most of the skin and muscle in his upper leg. Also, he has no feeling from the knee down.
He says he also broke his ribs and pelvis, which punctured his bladder and intestines. He also suffered hits to his chin, head and had a concussion.
After fighting the war in Iraq, Cole faced a new fight at the hospital in Germany.
"They came back in the room and told us basically he was fighting for his life," said Cole's mother, Juliann.
Cole says he was also visited by President Bush, who presented him with a coin, while he was in the hospital in Germany.
After more than 30 surgeries, plus more ahead, Cole says he takes this as just a part of life.
"Initially it was hard coming to realization that you're not going to be able to go out and run around, but I mean I'm proud of what I did so I wouldn't change anything," he said.
Cole says he always knew he wanted to serve in the military and follow in a family tradition because his grandfather served in World War II and his father served in Vietnam.
Now, he says he's starting a new path, going to community college and living on his own for the first time.
As a thank you for his service and sacrifice, Cole is getting $3,000 in furniture from Roomful Express.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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